OVER THE YEARS: Aamir ‘Mr Perfect’ Khan

By Hindustan Times

Aamir Khan sang his way into Bollywood with Papa Kehte Hain, the classic song from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), when he was just 23. The actor, who had also written the story of the film, went on to become one of the reigning Khans of Bollywood, giving it its many consistent high grossers.

He first worked as a child artist in Yaadon ki Baaraat (1975) and then in Holi (1984). In his 24 years in the industry, the actor has given various box office hits, such as, Dil (1990) that became popular with the young generation, Raja Hindustani (1996) that was one of the most successful films of the nineties, Lagaan (2001) that was nominated for the Oscars under the Best foreign language film category and 3 Idiots (2009) that assumed a cult status among young Indians and became the highest grossing Bollywood film of all time.

AamirTrade analyst Atul Mohan says, “Aamir does limited films, but has marketed himself in such a way that people know if Aamir is doing a film, it will definitely be ‘hate ke’. No other actor of his time could have carried off 3 Idiots the way he did. He is not called Mr Perfectionist for nothing.”

As a producer, Khan made films such as Taare Zameen Par (2009), Peepli Live (2010) and Delhi Belly (2011). “He produced landmark films like Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par (also directed by him). Aamir is very involved, both as an actor and producer,” adds Mohan. The actor took a break in 2001 and returned with his ambitious project Mangal Pandey: The Rising, but the film fared ‘below average’.

Aamir does not attend award functions and believes in getting appreciation only from the audience. He also turned down the offer of getting his wax statue at the Madame Tussuads museum. He has been featured in the list of top actors and top earning actors by various entertainment portals. As of 2012, Aamir reportedly charges Rs. 40 crore per film, with a share in profit.

Moviedom
Raja Hindustani: The film features in the list of Bollywood’s highest grossing films and won Khan the best actor award for his portrayal of Raja, a taxi driver
LagaanLagaan: Aamir took Bollywood to the Oscars with this film, which was was ranked #55 in Empire magazine’s ‘100 Best Films Of World Cinema’ list'
Rang De Basanti: This film became an anthem for the youth. It holds the record for the highest grossing film to be released in January

Social causes
2006: Aamir took on the role of a social crusader with his support for Medha Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan (against the building of Sardar Sarovar dam on river Narmada)

2011: Aamir voiced support for social activist Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement and even visited him at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidaan where the
latter was fasting

2012: The actor made his television debut with Satyamev Jayate, which took on social issues. The show was so impactful that Aamir was invited to the Parliament for an address, after he exposed medical malpractices on the show.

Satyamev

On Time: He became the first Indian actor to make it to the cover of Time Magazine, with the caption — ‘Khan’s Quest’

Personal life
Aamir married his childhood sweetheart Reena Dutta in 1986 when he was just 21. The two separated in 2002. In 2005, film glossy Stardust broke a story about a relationship between Aamir and British journalist Jessica Hines, stating that they had a child together. However, both denied the story. He started dating Kiran Rao, who was an assistant director on the sets of Aamir’s production Lagaan. The two married in December 2005, and in 2011, had a son through a surrogate mother.

Ad value
Aamir endorsed Pepsi in 1993 and did an ad with Mahima Chaudhury and Aishwarya Rai. He was supposedly paid R17 lakh for it.
He started endorsing Pepsi’s rival brand Coca-Cola in 1999, but his contract was not renewed in 2011. At this time, Khan’s brand value was reported to be Rs. 8-Rs 10 cr per endorsement. Khan is the only male actor to have endorsed both Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

In 2010, it was reported that Khan had signed a Rs. 35 cr deal with telecom brand UAE’s Etisalat, making it the biggest deal in India’s advertising history.

Brands that Khan has endorsed include Tata Sky, Samsung, Titan, and Tourism Ministry’s Incredible India campaign. His fee is Rs. 4cr, the highest in the industry.

He stopped endorsing products while doing Satyamev Jayate, as he didn’t want to “sell things while the show was on.”

Aamirisms
There’s a lot of talent both in India and Pakistan. If the right offer and opportunity comes my way, I’d love to do a movie in Pakistan.
Throughout my career, I have never commented on Shah Rukh Khan. And I have never spoken about him nor have I reacted to what he has said.

If a star comes close to holding the sway that Madhuri Dixit or Kajol did, it is Rani Mukerji. She pays attention to her work, has matured and become experienced with time.

Reena is someone I really hold in high regard and esteem and I really value all the years I had the opportunity to share with her. I think sometimes things go wrong.